Miracle comebacks headline Round 8 of William Buck Premier Men’s

Two incredible come-from-behind wins provided the exclamation points to an entertaining afternoon of top-flight action.

One of the most astonishing back-from-the-dead performances we’ve seen in recent years occurred at Melbourne Uni Oval as University Blacks pulled off the seemingly impossible to steal the most unlikely of last-gasp wins from St Kevin’s.

There was very little between the sides all afternoon, with Blacks leading by 5 points at quarter-time, SKOB by 4 points at half-time and Blacks by a point at the final change. In fact, 8 points was the largest lead throughout the entire first three quarters (held by Blacks early in the third term).

So when St Kevin’s got the upper hand with 3 goals in 5-and-a-half minutes entering time-on in the final quarter, their game-high 18-point lead started to feel like a winning one.

Matthew Grocott reduced it to 13 points at the 26-minute mark, but still trailing by 12 points at the 31-minute mark, the Blacks needed a miracle, given to this point, they had only kicked 8 goals for the day.

Enter the miracle.

Ben Oliver goaled at 31:20 to make it a one-kick game, then Kane Loftus bobbed up to receive a handball straight out of the restart to nail a 45-metre running goal that tied the scores.

The Blacks went forward again, and a desperate scramble ensued before Joel Ernest marked a hurried defensive kick 45 metres out at the 34-minute mark. The veteran – who had only kicked 6 goals in the past 2.5 seasons – went back and calmly slotted the go-ahead goal as the Blacks crowd lost their collective minds.

The siren would sound 45 seconds later to complete the most miraculous come-from-the-clouds win – 3 goals in 3 minutes stealing a critical 4 premiership points on an afternoon that no Blacks player, coach or fan in attendance will ever forget.

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “It was a remarkable finish for us, kicking four goals in the last few minutes.

“St. Kevin’s had the better of us for a period in the last quarter, but we stuck at it and found something special late. Our pressure was at an elite level for most of the game.”

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “Clearly a very difficult loss to take for everyone within our group.

“To have worked so hard to get 19 points up that deep Into the last quarter after what had been a very close and even affair is simply not good enough.

“As coaches we must look critically at what we could have done to better guide our players through that period.

“It’s a brutal lesson for our players on the importance of playing every minute and having that ruthless edge in everything we do.

“I have to acknowledge Uni Blacks – their group showed incredible character to never give up and to be able to execute when it mattered will give them great belief.”

Saturday’s other remarkable finish came at Camberwell Sportsground, with Old Scotch storming home to break University Blues’ hearts once again.

The Blues entered on a 3-game losing streak, despite playing better football than that would suggest. Their inability to close out games had been costly and so it would prove to be once more.

They led the Cardinals by a point at the major break and extended their advantage to 19 points at the final change after an impressive 5-goal-to-2 third term that came from complete territorial dominance (14 Inside 50s to 5).

But the Cards were buoyed by their storming final term against the Blacks a fortnight ago and peppered away early to boot 1.3 before a James Curran goal extended the Blues’ lead to 16 points at the 8-minute mark.

Will Hucker responded to close the gap to 10 points a minute later before Old Scotch’s star spearhead James Tarrant stepped up and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

With his midfield taking control and generating repeat Inside 50s, Tarrant got hot in a hurry, getting on the end of everything in his vicinity and kicking truly.

He would boot an incredible 5 goals in 13 minutes as the Cards rocketed past a shell-shocked Blues, who could barely believe another final quarter fade-out had cost them yet again.

Old Scotch converting a 19-point deficit into a remarkable 22-point win that sees them close within percentage of the Top 4.

Tarrant finished with 22 disposals, 9 marks and 8 goals after putting his team on his back in the final term. James Stewart was superb at the other end for the Blues with 18 disposals and 5 goals of his own.

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a great game of footy where both sides had momentum at various stages.

“With +8 inside 50s in the first quarter, we weren’t able to capitalise on our opportunities to set the game up. It was the reversal in the third, where the Blues pressure was very good and with +9 inside 50s, they converted their opportunities into scoreboard pressure as well.

“Even with a 19-point deficit at three-quarter time, we felt that we had more in the tank and just needed to up our pressure rating. The boys executed superbly, and you could see the hunt across the ground.

“The momentum shift was noticeable and then Taz finished off the work with a brilliant last quarter. We were very proud of the team and their ability to stay in the game and find a way.”

Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “It was a scrappy first half, and Scotch seemingly controlled a lot of it. Although we weren’t playing anywhere near our best, we were able to hang in and find ourselves a point up at half time.

“The third quarter saw us play the sort of footy we’d been looking for. Our at-ball pressure increased, shape behind was excellent and was rewarded with a 3-goal lead at ¾ time.

“You won’t see a worse quarter of footy than ours in the last, with little-to-no fight coming from many, and on the flip, you’d be hard pressed to find a better quarter of footy from a key forward, with Tarrant taking full control of the game.”

Prem Men’s Live Stream: Old Scotch v Uni Blues

Old Haileybury made it five consecutive wins with a hard-fought 2-goal victory over a persistent and resilient St Bernard’s at Princes Park.

The Bloods rocketed out of the blocks with the first 4 goals of the game before the Snowdogs stabilised, then hit back with three of their own to reduce the damage to a single kick at the first break.

When the visitors kicked 2 of the first 3 goals in the second term to level the scores, it was clear that the travelling ‘Road Dogs’ (unbeaten on the road in 2025) were up for the fight once again.

Credit to the Bloods who lifted their intensity to kick the final two goals of the half to lead by 14 points at the half in an entertaining, high-quality clash.

Daniel Ward’s men then took control of the game in the third term, with their front-half potency delivering in spades. They took 6 Marks Inside 50 for the quarter and booted 5 goals to 1 (despite only having 3 more Inside 50s) to open up a commanding 38-point lead at the last change.

But the Snowdogs didn’t go down without a fight, rallying superbly in the final term to give the Bloods a few uncomfortable moments late. The Dogs kicked 5 of the first 6 goals for the quarter to close within 13 points and another incredible comeback suddenly looked a possibility.

However, the Bloods managed to hold their nerve, and a Charlie Harrop settler ensured a hard-earned 12-point win that entrenches the 2024 Premier B champions inside the Top 3, two games clear of fourth.

Mitch Kirkwood-Scott was outstanding for the Bloods, as were Jack Bell and Jake Gasparini, while Dom Sullivan, Charlie Vague and Karam Bharati were amongst the Dogs’ best.

Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “Tough game to assess, as it was a game of mistakes in the first half due to pressure put on.

“We got our game going in the 3rd quarter to lead by 38 points at the last change, but a disappointing start to the last, where we let St Bernards back into the game.

“We responded well to earn a tough win – credit to Bernards, as I thought we were beaten in the middle of the ground, but very happy with our backline holding up.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “It was a really hard fought quality contest all day. Daniel Ward’s team was really up for the contest and I thought both teams put on a great show.

“Unfortunately, our ball use at times let us down, but I was encouraged by the spirit of the team to keep fighting until the end against a strong team that is now well entrenched in the top 3 of the ladder.”

Prem Men’s Live Stream: Old Haileybury v St Bernards

There were no such final quarter nerves at Toorak Park, with Old Xaverians comfortably in command of Collegians all afternoon.

Xavs were on the front foot from the outset, kicking the only 5 goals of the opening term and the first 6 of the game before the Lions finally found a major approaching time-on in the second quarter.

Leading goalkicker Alex Lukic kicked the last couple of goals of the half to reduce the deficit to a more manageable 26 points at the major break, but any thoughts of a Collegians comeback were snuffed out by Xavs booting 4 goals in 8 minutes to start the second half.

From there, it was all academic – Xavs successfully defending second spot with a powerful 66-point win – their fifth victory in six starts.

Charlie MacIsaac continued his great form with another 5 goals to move to equal second on the goal kicking table, 2 goals behind Alex Lukic, whose 3 majors took him to 22 for the season – level with James Stewart. Charlie was awarded the SKINS Player of the Game Award for his superb performance.

Campbell Lane continued his brilliant season with another 41 touches – he’ll be missed as he heads overseas for a month. He was ably supported by Marcus Stavrou (28 disposals, 5 clearances), ruck Alec Spralja with 21 disposals, 5 clearances and a goal, and reigning Woodrow Medallist Sam Fisher (21 disposals, 9 clearances, 5 Inside 50s and a goal).

Nathan Boucher was best for Collegians with 32 touches in a hard-working performance.

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “We had a focus to start the game better this week, and it was pleasing to have finally done that! We’ve shown ability to come from behind in games this year, so this week at quarter time, it was a different challenge for us being out in front.

“I thought Collegians were terrific in the second quarter, won clearance and contest and wrestled some late momentum going into halftime without a few of their key players on the park.

“Most pleasing for me was the early response in the third, where we kicked 4 goals in 10 minutes to take the ascendancy and from there managed the game pretty well.”

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians):  “Once again we started poorly, with Xavs capitalising with a 5 goal lead at quarter time. 

“Our second quarter was solid, where we were able to match Xavs in the clearance and contested possession area, and were able to slightly peg the lead back. 

“Ultimately Xavs were too good in most facets of the game, and gradually stretched out the lead in the second half. 

“Nath Boucher worked tirelessly, and Henry Anderson played a very good team role for us.”

Prem Men’s Live Stream: Old Xavs v Collegians

The final game of the weekend pitted top versus bottom, with Old Brighton delivering as the ladder would suggest with a healthy victory over De La Salle at Brighton Beach Oval.

But the ladder-leaders didn’t have it all their own way early – De La booting the first 2 goals of the game before the Tonners kicked 4 of the next 5 to narrowly edge their noses in front at the opening break.

De La were once again first out of the blocks in the second term, however it was all Old Brighton after that as they added the next 4.5 to kick out to a handy 26-point half-time advantage.

Sure enough, the third term continued the pattern – opening goal to De La Salle, then domination from Brighton as the Tonners peeled off the next 7 goals to put the result beyond doubt.

And would you believe, De La kicked the first goal of the final quarter also, before Old Brighton finished with the last 4 goals of the game to head to the bye with a perfect 8-0 record, courtesy of an 86-point win.

The star of the show was Will Lewis. The VFL-listed Bulldog had a day out up forward, booting 10 goals in a sensational performance that will have Big V coach Daniel Harford smiling from ear to ear. He finished with 23 disposals, 12 marks, 8 tackles and 10 goals in one of the great individual displays in Premier Men’s so far this season.

Tom Fisher continued his excellent season with another 30 disposals for the Tonners, while Ryan O’Meara followed on his run of form with 26 disposals, 11 marks and 7 Rebound 50s for De La Salle.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “So wonderful to be able to celebrate one of our tremendous players at home and with a win. Tom Fisher has been a wonderful player for a long period of time and at a high level for the entirety of his playing career, was fantastic to celebrate him.

“Nick has the De La boys giving tremendous effort and it won’t be long before they get winning momentum. Their pressure outdid our group, and we had to work hard to equalise.

“We had some great winners on the day, Will Lewis kicking 10 and Max Benier at the other end was superb. Sam Flockart really got humming throughout the game, able to impact through different positions.”

Nick Hyland (De La Salle):  “Once again a strong start for us where we were able to put Old Brighton under significant pressure. We used the ball really well and changed angles which created scoring opportunities for us. For the majority of the first half I thought we played at a level that stacks up against the league leaders.

“After halftime – particularly in the 3rd quarter – it was a different story. They upped their intensity around the ball and were able to gain momentum and field position. That allowed them to be proactive, particularly around the contest, which proved really difficult to stop.

“When they get the game like that, they make it really hard to play against. Credit to Marcel, he’s clearly got them playing a really strong brand of footy.

“Although the scoreboard wasn’t in our favour, I thought there was plenty of positives to take away, both individually and collectively. Pleasing that we were able to blood another debutant from our U19’s in Sam Cross who acquitted himself really well.”

William Buck Premier Men’s takes a week off for the King’s Birthday Bye and will return with an action-packed Round 9 as teams set themselves for the next block of games through to the double-bye:

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 9

SATURDAY JUNE 14 (2:00pm)

St Kevin’s vs Old Scotch | VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM & SEN app – 1.45pm

St Bernard’s vs University Blues | Kommunity TV DOUBLE-HEADER – 11.35am

De La Salle vs Old Xaverians  | VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.55pm

Collegians vs Old Haileybury

University Blacks vs Old Brighton